The Völk PB10 Mid Club - please join :)

I searched and could't find a club for this great frame - a frame which in my view will turn into a true classic once it has been discontinued.

I tested a PB10 Mid for a month before I decided to order a pair of this racquet. Got both from TW EUROPE and they will arrive tomorrow. Both were weight, swingweight and balance matched and they were spot on except for half a gram difference in static weight (Thanks Greg for all your help )
That's what I call GREAT quality control.

I prefer this racquet on faster courts and for doubles. I enjoy the swingweight and overall combination of feel, touch, power and control in one package.

I will have mine setup with Babolat VS Team 17 mains @ 52 lbs and then Luxilon Alu Power crosses @ 48 lbs in one of them and WeissCannon Silverstring 1.20 crosses @ 48 lbs in the other one and then decide, what I prefer (I own a reel of both strings).

Will decide if I want a Babolat or Völk leather grip on my frames.

I use a Gamma Supreme White overgrip on top of the leather grip.
The dampener of choice for this racquet was obvious for me - a black and yellow Babolat Custom Damp

Not sure if I want to add some lead at 9 and 3 on this frame yet.....

Look forward to hear how other PB10 Mid club members have their PB10 Mid frame/frames setup

I have been using this stick with 17 gauge Bab VS Team mains and 17 gauge PHT crosses ... both at 52 lbs. I like the extra serving pop I get from stringing them a tad on the loose side. This setup offers a great mix of feel, power and control. Also, the strings last and are locked in (little movement).

I'm about to purchase this racquet even without demoing.I can't get me hands on a demo here in Oz.
After reading so many terrific reviews,i'm gonna take the risk and purchase one.The specs are everything i want.
Still a little unsure of string type and tension being such a flexy frame and all.Will perhaps consider a poly in a hybrid but not a full poly due to a history of elbow complaints.
Any suggestions?

I have two PB 10 MID strung with Luxilon Timo 122 and Volkl Leather grip Brown..... What I can say, this is racquet is just amazing....I think with leather Grip I feel the racquet less flex and a little more stiffer.

Apologies if this is a little off topic, but has anyone compared this stick to a BLX 6.1 95? Seem similar spec wise, though the Volkl is a bit more extreme headlight so I imagine it's just whippier. Also like the thinner beam. Demo'd the PB10mid before and thought it might be a little too demanding for me, but having grown a certain liking for the 6.1 95 and seeing just how similar it is spec wise, I think I may give this Volkl one more chance to win my heart.

I'm currently using the pb10 mid with MSV Hex Black 1.10 at 50 although now it's been getting warmer I'll move up to 53. I'm just settled on this setup; great spin and touch. Unfortunately I'm not much of a string breaker so I tend to cut out the strings when the tension drops too low to control. I was thinking of doing a full gut job but not with Gaucho, but with some of my last remaining sets of BDE Perf 17 just to see how it will play.

........I run two Tourna Tac XL over the DNX black grip and have 2 grams of lead at the top of the handle and 3 grams in the throat. I have tried TW leather, but I couldn't get used to the pallet shape.

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The only worries I had with this frame was the Head sort of like grip shape, and this is one reason why I consider keeping the stock grip and put a Gamma Supreme Overgrip on top that........ If I install a leather grip, my worries are that I will be able to feel this kind of odd grip shape even more.

I'm currently using the pb10 mid with MSV Hex Black 1.10 at 50 although now it's been getting warmer I'll move up to 53. I'm just settled on this setup; great spin and touch. Unfortunately I'm not much of a string breaker so I tend to cut out the strings when the tension drops too low to control. I was thinking of doing a full gut job but not with Gaucho, but with some of my last remaining sets of BDE Perf 17 just to see how it will play.

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It's still cold here, outdoor season is still 1.5 months away, so I've decided on going low in tension in my first attempt with these 2 new frames.
Probably will up the tension a bit, when spring comes.

You still have the 4 or 5 Wilson Pro Staff Tour racquets I sold you 2 years ago Jay ?

The only worries I had with this frame was the Head sort of like grip shape, and this is one reason why I consider keeping the stock grip and put a Gamma Supreme Overgrip on top that........ If I install a leather grip, my worries are that I will be able to feel this kind of odd grip shape even more.

It's still cold here, outdoor season is still 1.5 months away, so I've decided on going low in tension in my first attempt with these 2 new frames.
Probably will up the tension a bit, when spring comes.

You still have the 4 or 5 Wilson Pro Staff Tour racquets I sold you 2 years ago Jay ?

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Yep. Still got them. The grips are a bit big so I may bring them in to a shop to have them sanded down to L3 or between L2/L3.

As for the odd grip shape, ever thought about adding athletic or duct tape to change the shape a little bit? How about just adding Attiva pallets for a really rounded grip shape (think Prince/Yonex)?

you had the Babolat Pure Storm Ltd Gt before right? How does it compare to to the Volkl PB 10? I have BPSL GT, and its really great, but lately I was looking at the Volkl PB10.

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I get a bit more power from the PB10 MID, better pace on serves, just as good touch on volleys, better pace on groundies from the baseline and a little extra forgiveness even though the head is equal or smaller. Spin is also better because of the 16x19 string pattern compared to the 18X20 on the Ltd. GT. The Babolat PS GT Ltd. was an awesome racquet, but preferred BLX 95 6.1 18X20 and Völk PB10 Mid to the Ltd. GT.

I change racquets a lot, so never know what I will do next - but the PB10 Mid is a true classic, no matter what happens

I get a bit more power from the PB10 MID, better pace on serves, just as good touch on volleys, better pace on groundies from the baseline and a little extra forgiveness even though the head is equal or smaller. Spin is also better because of the 16x19 string pattern compared to the 18X20 on the Ltd. GT. The Babolat PS GT Ltd. was an awesome racquet, but preferred BLX 95 6.1 18X20 and Völk PB10 Mid to the Ltd. GT.

I change racquets a lot, so never know what I will do next - but the PB10 Mid is a true classic, no matter what happens

I love this stick. I bought it two months ago, and I'm still setting on the strings and tension. Currently, I'm using X-one at 52 pounds.
I'm planning to use Weiss Cannon Silverstring next at 58 ponds.

Anyone using tension at or arround 58 pounds?
Can you share your experence?

I love this stick. I bought it two months ago, and I'm still setting on the strings and tension. Currently, I'm using X-one at 52 pounds.
I'm planning to use Weiss Cannon Silverstring next at 58 ponds.

Anyone using tension at or arround 58 pounds?
Can you share your experence?

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Currently testing it with Klip Legend 16g at 59 lbs (after trying few different strings in it). Plays well with Klip since it gives it that CRISP feel.

Received my new PB10Mid today and my unstrung specs measured are - 325g and 31.3cm balance. The specs as published on the stick are 330g and 31cm balance. Which means once mine has been strung up with VS Touch and Siverstring, I can expect the weight to go up to around 343grams and may have a balance of 31.7cm. This would make it 7 pts headlight which is far off TW's claim of 10pts HL when strung. I was hoping for a more headlight racket but it may be more stable anyway if there is a little more weight distributed around the hoop area.

Can anyone else confirm that there unstrung or strung specs are a bit off the published one's? I had heard that these sticks came with very little tolerances...

I got mine from TW too they strung it with Ashaway Kevlar 18 g/ Prince Syn Gut Original 17
It weigth 343 with the tournagrip on it with no tournagrip is 338 g, I have not check the balance, but yes it seems ligther than specs even that the 18 g Kevlar is pretty ligth.

Today I received my PB10 Mid from TW Europe. I checked the weight (331g) and balance (310mm) so they are pretty accurate.

It feels good into the hand but the rectangular grip shape. I need to customize this with some duct tape at the top and bottom grip pallet faces. Besides I 'll replace the original dnx synthetic grip with a Babolat leather grip.

I strung with my regular Head RIP Control 17g at 24/23 kg (53/51 lbs).

Tomorrow I hope to play with my PB10 Mid for the first time. Wish me luck!

I use PB10 and I actually own the two matched frames That ClubHoUno bought
Like many of you guys, I string mine with MSV Focus Hex 1.10 black at 52 Lbs. This set-up is perfect for PB10, GREAT control and still a fair amount of pop. LOVE this frame

Gee - how did the new racquet work for you? Just curious... I'm interested in that stick as well and thought I'd see how the transition went for you. Thanks!

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Well... finally I hit with PB10 Mid. The first terms that come to my mind are: maneuverable, solid, firm, very quick at the net, precise, you get what you put in. A very versatile frame.

Especially you know it when you hit the ball clean. A very satisfied feeling involved with a pok sound.

Groundstrokes: The PB10 Mid swings pretty light but still solid and a firm feel at ball contact. A bit contradictory regarding the 330 swingweight but I think this is due the thinner beam width and smaller headsize. Through this it is a spin friendly frame as well.

Volleys: This is really the best part of this frame IMO. Simply great! I was dancing at the net! And it is sooo solid! Great touch as well.

Smashes: I noticed I need to focus more with the mid size because I'm used to mp. When I hit clean the smashes were solid and precise. Besides I was able to hit difficult backhand smashes with a handy wrist movement and a great touch.

BTW I customized the rectangular grip shape by adding 2 layers of master tape at the wider pallet faces.

Gee - thank you so much for the review - have you ever hit with a Head Prestige MP and if so could you compare the two? I tried asking on another thread but little response so far. I'm excited that the volleys felt great - what about serves? You mentioned that the overheads were tricky getting used to with the smaller head so I'm curious about the weight and size coming through on the serve.

jayserinos99 - ditto on my question about the Head Youtek Prestige MP - but also looking forward to your overall thoughts on the racquet.

I originally strung it too high at 60 but I played with it for a little while then put it down for a couple months while I was using the KPS88.

Now that I picked it back up a couple weeks ago it is at about 58lbs and no joke I am playing the best tennis of my life. I have always been a huge Volkl fan I love all their 10 series MPs (especially the Tour10 VE) and I been using MSV Hex 1.10 for over 2 years now. It is by far my favorite string. I think this is the perfect combination for me.

Gee - thank you so much for the review - have you ever hit with a Head Prestige MP and if so could you compare the two? I tried asking on another thread but little response so far. I'm excited that the volleys felt great - what about serves? You mentioned that the overheads were tricky getting used to with the smaller head so I'm curious about the weight and size coming through on the serve.
Cheers!

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A few years ago I demoed both MG Prestige MP and Mid. The MGP Mid is much better IMO. Much more solid and better control and plow through. I think you should compare the PB10 Mid with the MGP Mid. TW seems to agree with this as they mention the Prestige Mid a similar racquet. See similar racquets at the Volkl PB10 Mid page.

Unfortunately I didn't serve with the PB10 Mid yesterday but I think it 'll swing easy with a solid hit as the smashes felt like that. BTW the smaller head size with smashes was not a big issue. I only need to get used to it.

OK, I demoed the Volkl PB10Mid today with my Head Prestige MP's. Boy, this is a close call. This is how they felt to me -

Volkl was considerably heavier which was great for plow-through. On groundstrokes when I missed the sweet spot the Volkl made for better recovery in that I could still get the ball deep as opposed to the Prestige where mishits landed short in the court. The Volkl also felt EVEN better than the Prestige against heavy balls due to it's weight. Not that this has ever been an issue with the Prestige but I did notice a slight improvement. I also thought the Prestige was better for slice backhands - not really sure why but I felt more solid shots coming off the Prestige than the Volkl when sliced. Opposite for topspin.

At net the Volkl was more solid but no more or less manouverable than the Prestige. The feel coming through a volley was amazing - very confident. Due to the extra power in the Volkl I did spray a few shots long and/or wide but could get used to that quickly. The smaller head size was not an issue in the least. The Prestige was the better serving racquet in my opinion - it's solid and not quite as headlight which seemed to give me more pace and control for placement at the same time.

Overall - my scoring would look like this:

Groundstrokes - even score - but for different reasons. I don't need the extra power of the PB10 Mid but it does feel nice and solid. Prestige allowed me more directional control - hit some great angles with the Prestige. Net - PB10 Mid has the slight edge here - confidence built by the solidness of the racquet was awesome.Serving - Prestige has the edge here - overall more pace AND control.

Going to stick with my Prestige MP's for now - but if the Volkl's go on sale I might be tempted.

After stringing my new PB10mid with Bab VS Touch (16g) in the mains at 55lbs and Weiss Cannon Silverstring crosses at 53lbs, I measured the specs and the static weight is 342g and balance is 32.3cm or 6 pts HL. I'm not usually comfortable with balances less than 9-10 pts HL but this felt perfectly fine compared to my BLX 90 and 95 sticks. Really liked the stability and plow and feeback that this gives on all strokes. The grip shape is a littler weird but quite nice on my SW forehand grip but strange on my eastern OHBH grip. Probably get used to this in time. Overall a thumbs up for this racket and I'll be using this for a while now and see if I really do prefer it to my BLX 90 and 95.

@nyc: Wish I could say the same about the Volkl's quality control. My pb10 mid just arrived and it measures in at 338g and 7pts HL, strung. The advertised specs are 343g and 10pts HL. No matter what brand you buy, quality control is a crap shoot.

@nyc: Wish I could say the same about the Volkl's quality control. My pb10 mid just arrived and it measures in at 338g and 7pts HL, strung. The advertised specs are 343g and 10pts HL. No matter what brand you buy, quality control is a crap shoot.

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Yeah, having gone through a slew of wilson and head frames, I know what you mean. I always match my frames, but even so there's always the one stick that feels better than the others. If I decide to go for it, I would get them matched by TW.